Seeing them and experiencing them are two different things as well. Just depends on what you want to do each place. I have been to Canyonlands 3 times, btw. One time just to hike to the Great Gallery, which is a remote place, but very rewarding.

I am a city guy, perhaps a beach guy but certainly not a "hiking/canyoneering guy. Sheski has wanted to "see" Bryce, or Zion for sixty years. I am not sure we understood all that there is in doing this. We are a relatively spry 65 but I don't see us hanging off a cliff attached by a rope. I'm not making fun of that, I just do not see Sheski with her bad back and hips climbing in one of Zions canyons. We do not have the stamina nor the skill. Are we over-reaching our capabilities? Seriously, is this too much for us? Are there easy hikes read "walks" into some of this beautiful remote land. Somewhere between wilderness and Mall of the Americas? What are we letting ourselves in for?

By all means fly or drive to Las Vegas and start early in the day for Zion. Find lodging in the area of Zion. After seeing all you want in Zion, head for Bryce Canyon. After leaving Bryce, head over Route 12 which is one of the most scenic highways in Utah. You might also enjoy seeing Capitol Reef NP and Goblin Valley State Park before heading back to Las Vegas.
Take your binoculars to watch the crazy people hanging from ropes on the cliffs.
While you are in the area, stop to see Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada.

When visiting National Parks, most people only spend about 4 hours there. I find that to be a huge mistake, no matter what age or what your capabilities are. I do think, if you are capable at all, then some hiking would be in order in many of these places. The hikes certainly don't have to be done while dangling from a rope. There is just so much to see and do along the way at these places.

Glacier-take a red bus tour, drive to Waterton and do tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Fondue at Many Glacier Hotel, Drive Going to the Sun Road, Do several of the boat tours on the lakes, Go on a hike at Logan Pass. You can go on your own or a Ranger-Led Tour. Maybe hike Trail of the Cedars. Take a helicopter ride over the park. Spontaneous stops for wildlife.

Yellowstone--- Yellow Bus Tour(maybe more than one), spend an entire day Geyser Gazing at the geysers around Old Faithful. My personal favorites are Castle Geyser and Riverside Geyser. Also see some of the springs and mudpots. You will want to stop spontaneously many time to observe wildlife. Maybe do a boat tour on the Lake. See upper and lower falls. See Tower Falls. Drive thru Hayden and Lamar Valley. See Mammoth area. Drive Beartooth Hwy.

Bryce
Hike-Navajo Loop/Queens Garden, Take a half day horse ride on Peek a Boo Loop (my parents are nearly 70 and still get on a horse for a few hours, not sure on your back condition though). See a sunrise and sunset). Do the night sky ranger led activity.

Before Bryce, See Arches/Moab, Delicate Arch(moderate hike), Landscape Arch(super easy), Balanced Rock, Double Arch, The Windows (all super super easy). Do a 4 wheel drive tour. Deadhorse Point, Goblin Valley, Little Wildhorse Canyon(easy slot canyon that anyone can do), Have pie at Gifford House in Capitol Reef Orchard/Picnic area, Devils Garden in Escalante National Park. There are a lot of good drive in Capitol Reef and Escalante area.

In Zion there are many great hikes depending on what you want to get yourself into. I think anyone in decent shape could do The Narrows.

See the GC from both the North and South Rim. Perhaps add a couple of days at Page for Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell. Perhaps take a boat to Rainbow Bridge.

At all locations I would stay "in park". The Historic Lodges are a huge part of the parks for us. We love them, they are rustic-just don't expect 5 star accom. In Glacier and Yellowstone I would stay at 2 or 3 spots.

There are some ideas and most of those you couldn't do from a bus or train.

Sunrise and Sunset are spectacular at many places. The night sky is truly amazing in Utah. I layed on the ground in Goblin Valley until 11:00pm just gazing. Did the same at the GC. Bryce offers spotting scopes a couple of nights each week.

Check all of the brochures at each park for ranger-led activities.

Interesting.

Meski, if you don't want to drive, you can go to AffordableTours website to see what's available, at what price, to compare different tour companies. By the way, this site gives you discount (I've used it several times) and some companies give discount if you are AARP member. I've traveled with Cosmos - budget, but not bad.

Also check out Caravan tours - love this company too!

OK, your last post but one said your want to see Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite. That is a nice mix and doable in two weeks, BUT I suggest you fly into and out of Las Vegas. You will save a bundle on car rental, over a one-way trip from San Francisco. Drop fees are huge. You do not have to stay in Las Vegas; The drive to Zion is only 2.5 hours so easily done after a flight. We have done it several times.

When are you doing this trip? The best route to Yosemite goes up the east side of the Sierras, and takes in Death Valley as well. The problem is the timing, as Tioga Pass may not open until sometime in June and you cannot know in advance. The best time to visit the other parks is earlier ablate June or July may be quite hot. And if your Grand Canyon plans include the North Rim ( our favorite), the lodging there is only open May 15 to Oct. 15. Fall is actually a glorious time in all these places, but you will miss the yosemite waterfalls.

As for easy hikes, do not worry. Zion has plenty of short and easy walks, as does Yosemite. At Bryce and the Grand Canyon, you can walk rim trails instead of hiking down into the canyon.

Be advised the Yosemite lodging inside the park books up way in advance, but there are condos at Yosemite West, on the park boundary, that may be available.

Thanks! We are digesting the information, should have an itinerary in a few days.

Okay! We do this trip last week in June 2013
Planning time is 2 weeks but we keep a week in our pocket for over runs. (I used to work for the Government).
We fly to Las Vegas and drive to Zion
Zion National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Monument Valley Tribal Park
Grand Canyon
Las Vegas,

then on to San Francisco
Yosemite National Park
Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks
Big Sur State Park
Point Lobos Preserve
Ano Nuevo
Big Basin State Park
San Francisco, California

Too much?

> Too much?

Even in three weeks?
Yes.

And I say that as someone who saw Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Banff, Olympic NP, and Mount Ranier in just over two weeks.

Meski,

I would say if your style is to visit a park, take the road through it, stopping for pictures and a visit to the VC, then you could do your trip in three weeks if you fly from Vegas to SFO. If you want to hike in the parks or spend hours soaking up the ambiance then it is too much.

Probably need 12 days for the Vegas loop and 8 for the SFO it it's just a look/see.

Have a great trip in any case.

Agree with Paul-probably too much. At the end of the Vegas loop fly on Allegiant Airline from Vegas to Fresno and rent a car to see Sequoia/Kings and/or Yosemite. Return the car to Fresno airport and either fly to SF or take the San Joaquin to Emeryville if you want a train trip.
Rent a car in the SF area for the parks south of SF if you have time left.
Allegiant has low fares to/from Las Vegas and also bundles hotels/shows and rental cars allegiant.com